Consistency Within Change

Despite dramatic evolution, certain concerns remained constant throughout Monet's career. His dedication to capturing transient effects never wavered, even as his methods for doing so became more sophisticated. His love of water as a subject—from the Channel coast of his youth to the lily pond of his old age—provided continuity across decades.

Most importantly, his commitment to direct observation remained absolute. Even the most abstract late works began with looking, with placing himself before the motif and opening himself to visual sensation. This grounding in perception prevented his art from becoming merely decorative or theoretical.